A Spat among Friends

Meris stood at the window, her fingers nervously twitching at the edge of the curtain. She dropped the curtain and clenched those fingers into a fist as she turned around to finally speak to Alison.

“That girl from West View, remember? We met her at Carissa’s bachelorette party. That’s who he’s run off with.”

Alison wrinkled her nose, trying to place a face with the description. Her jaw went slack with recognition. “Oh my God, I do remember. Her?? What was he thinking? She’s so–” She cut herself off, closing her mouth with a snap. But it was too late.

Meris’s gaze hardened. “Thanks. I guess next time my husband leaves me for some homewrecker I’ll be sure to call you for advice, since you’re so damned observant. I know she’s younger, and thinner, and prettier than I am. I think it’s time for you to go, Alison.”

Alison rose in defiance. “That sounds like something my mother would say, Meris, and you know it. And just shut up and think a minute. She may be some of those things, but none of them have anything to do with you. Robert’s the one who screwed up.”

“I’ll talk to you later.” Meris walked to her bedroom and closed the door.